https://rickbaker.ca/category/curiosity-invention-innovation-creativity/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/eggs-dont-hatch-where-scarcity-thinking-roosts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/eggs-dont-hatch-where-scarcity-thinking-roosts/Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Scarcity-thinking stifles curiosity and creativity and when curiosity and creativity are stifled success is elusive. It is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-3-prongs-of-innovation-invention-discovery-and-stumbling-upon/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-3-prongs-of-innovation-invention-discovery-and-stumbling-upon/Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet P=2S+O ...for every Problem [P], think of at least 2 Solutions [2S] and keep your eyes peeled for Opportunities [O]. Taking a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-growth-is-made-of-innovation-invention-self-improvement-more-self-improvement/https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-growth-is-made-of-innovation-invention-self-improvement-more-self-improvement/Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet In business, learning is a life-long experience aimed improving self, helping others to do the same, and adding innovation, &… https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-your-creativity-increases-your-ability-to-receive-good-advice-decreases/https://rickbaker.ca/post/as-your-creativity-increases-your-ability-to-receive-good-advice-decreases/Fri, 19 Feb 2021 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Creativity is one of the most threatening commodities. As a rule, when people observe it happening around them they feel… https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-if-you-want-people-to-buy-into-your-ideas-then-you-must-pre-communicate-and-over-communicate/https://rickbaker.ca/post/communication-tip-if-you-want-people-to-buy-into-your-ideas-then-you-must-pre-communicate-and-over-communicate/Tue, 26 Jan 2021 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Experts have been studying people connections, networks, and hubs for over 40 years. Experts concluded weak links , including… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-can-not-come-up-with-a-new-idea-then-figure-out-a-new-way-to-use-an-old-one/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-can-not-come-up-with-a-new-idea-then-figure-out-a-new-way-to-use-an-old-one/Tue, 29 Dec 2020 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet In fact, many experts report this is the key to innovation . A few years ago, I bought a book on this topic titled ‘ Borrowing… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-give-ideas-the-brake-give-ideas-a-break-support-a-local-curious-person/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-give-ideas-the-brake-give-ideas-a-break-support-a-local-curious-person/Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet I believe it has been clearly established that curiosity does not kill cats. I'm suspecting dog lovers created that myth...you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-prime-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-courage/https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-prime-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-courage/Sat, 05 Dec 2020 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes courage to face adversity . It takes courage to face criticism . It takes courage to face change . Children are born… https://rickbaker.ca/post/overheard-at-the-placebo-plantlisten-up-boss-ive-got-this-great-new-product-idea/https://rickbaker.ca/post/overheard-at-the-placebo-plantlisten-up-boss-ive-got-this-great-new-product-idea/Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet How would one go about recruiting employees for a placebo plant? What traits and qualities would one look for? Would quality… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-moderation-variety-are-the-archenemies-of-bad-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-moderation-variety-are-the-archenemies-of-bad-habits/Sun, 22 Nov 2020 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Q: Why are certain habits called Bad Habits ? A: Because they reduce the ability to achieve our Goals ? Q: How might we change… https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-feeds-and-growsdepending-on-the-calibre-of-its-dominating-questions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-feeds-and-growsdepending-on-the-calibre-of-its-dominating-questions/Mon, 09 Nov 2020 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Curiosity is the precursor to Creativity . We see Curiosity in young children...they approach life as if it is a question… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-people-to-bring-your-ideas-to-life-show-an-interest-in-theirs-communication-attitude/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-people-to-bring-your-ideas-to-life-show-an-interest-in-theirs-communication-attitude/Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:36:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sure, of course, you're not biased and you know full well your ideas are superior! But don't let that stop you from listening… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-doesnt-kill-catsit-just-makes-them-very-interesting/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-doesnt-kill-catsit-just-makes-them-very-interesting/Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Maybe, curiosity kills cats; definitely, curiosity motivates people. Perhaps, many animals are curious. Certainly, some… https://rickbaker.ca/post/think-in-new-ways-think-in-good-old-waysjust-dont-waste-time-dabbling-in-between/https://rickbaker.ca/post/think-in-new-ways-think-in-good-old-waysjust-dont-waste-time-dabbling-in-between/Wed, 17 Jun 2020 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Wisdom survives the test of time . Curiosity & Creativity are essential things. It's the stuff in-between that wastes time… https://rickbaker.ca/post/ambiguity-poisons-profitability/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ambiguity-poisons-profitability/Fri, 15 May 2020 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Confused sellers struggle to sell. Confused buyers struggle to buy. Confused technicians struggle to perform. In so many ways… https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-curiosity-kills-cats-definitely-curiosity-motivates-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-curiosity-kills-cats-definitely-curiosity-motivates-people/Mon, 27 Apr 2020 07:31:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Perhaps, many animals are curious . Certainly, some are...cats have a reputation for it. Human beings must be the most curious… https://rickbaker.ca/post/take-your-big-treasure-chest-of-curiosity-off-the-shelfdust-it-offopen-it-upand-put-its-contents-to-good-use/https://rickbaker.ca/post/take-your-big-treasure-chest-of-curiosity-off-the-shelfdust-it-offopen-it-upand-put-its-contents-to-good-use/Wed, 22 Apr 2020 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet At one time, you were an incessantly curious and creative person. You were chock full of curiosity. Over the years and through… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-sits-close-to-spiritalways-envisioning-and-whispering-ideas/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-sits-close-to-spiritalways-envisioning-and-whispering-ideas/Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When Spirit is vibrant, it listens intently and allows Curiosity free rein to explore. https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/Tue, 16 May 2017 07:31:00 -0500Now isn't that a fine piece of ‘ mob thinking ’...debatable, yet mostly true, and too often rather disappointing. Optimists stand out. Their curiosity leads… https://rickbaker.ca/post/no-question-about-it-people-are-interested-in-learning-how-to-kill-good-ideas/https://rickbaker.ca/post/no-question-about-it-people-are-interested-in-learning-how-to-kill-good-ideas/Thu, 27 Apr 2017 07:49:00 -0500A number of years ago, I posted the following thoughts about how to kill good ideas. It is interesting to see a number of people liked the contrarian… https://rickbaker.ca/post/are-you-too-busy-to-know-other-peoples-businesses/https://rickbaker.ca/post/are-you-too-busy-to-know-other-peoples-businesses/Tue, 14 Mar 2017 07:24:00 -0500Common sense tells us: Most people look for a fair deal, where both parties exchange value, Some people look to cheat others, heads I win - tails you lose … https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-support-of-self-consciousness/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-support-of-self-consciousness/Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:32:00 -0500In our lexicon self-consciousness has a weakness connotation. We have been conditioned to think of ' self-conscious ' people as timid people, people who… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-are-stepping-stones-the-question-is-to-where/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-are-stepping-stones-the-question-is-to-where/Wed, 18 Jan 2017 16:52:00 -0500Indiana Jones reminded us that you don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step. A journey of a thousand miles always starts with a single… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discern-then-do-and-make-a-difference/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discern-then-do-and-make-a-difference/Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:25:00 -0500Nike says, "Just Do It!" While that may lead to better health, more energy and more fun it sure creates inefficiencies when it happens at work. The tech… https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-intelligence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-intelligence/Tue, 29 Nov 2016 06:37:00 -0500Recently, Simon Sinek again wrote: “Intelligence looks for what is known to solve problems. Creativity looks for what is unknown to discover possibilities.”… https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-keeping-good-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-keeping-good-people/Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:23:00 -0500Have Culture - if it isn't defined it will define itself Give Compliments - everyone wants to use talents to create value...and get regular pats on the back… https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-hiring/https://rickbaker.ca/post/10-thoughts-on-hiring/Mon, 14 Nov 2016 07:10:00 -0500Know how to communicate the essence of the role, seek simple descriptions; avoid lengthy series of tasks and responsibilities Magnetic job postings - show… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-our-family-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-our-family-business/Thu, 22 Sep 2016 07:12:00 -0500We enjoy solving sticky problems. Wrestling down sticky problems until they give up their solutions - that's where our people and our family business are at… https://rickbaker.ca/post/will-power-courage-value/https://rickbaker.ca/post/will-power-courage-value/Tue, 20 Sep 2016 07:20:00 -0500If, for whatever reason, you do not have enough Will then it is impossible to have other elite character traits like Courage. Courage is more than taking… https://rickbaker.ca/post/does-creativity-crave-structure/https://rickbaker.ca/post/does-creativity-crave-structure/Thu, 25 Aug 2016 07:51:00 -0500I have heard opposing viewpoints. Some people think creativity happens when a group of brilliant young people bounce ideas off one another in zany… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-bolsters-self-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-bolsters-self-confidence/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 08:20:00 -0500Curiosity opens the door to alternative realities: this is discovered when you are curious, when you ask questions and when you listen to other people's… https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-goals-greater-than-oursleves/https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-goals-greater-than-oursleves/Mon, 04 Jul 2016 08:18:00 -0500"Our goals should serve as markers, measurements of the progress we make in pursuit of something greater than ourselves." Simon Sinek, inspirational post … https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-we-should-call-it-applied-curiosity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-we-should-call-it-applied-curiosity/Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:11:00 -0500…following up on the thought post Leaders, Creative Confusion & Deaf Ears Excerpts from a note to a friend... We are dealing with that scary concept called… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-creative-confusion-deaf-ears/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-creative-confusion-deaf-ears/Tue, 14 Jun 2016 07:38:00 -0500If leaders want to inspire changes for the better, leaders ought to be very clear when they talk about important things like Innovation, Creativity… https://rickbaker.ca/post/decadence-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/decadence-confidence/Mon, 02 May 2016 07:08:00 -0500Confidence-founded businesses enjoy many advantages, to name a handful: can do attitude, which leads to decisive action optimism, which breeds… https://rickbaker.ca/post/sense-of-adventurewhen-youre-not-working-at-a-google-wannabe/https://rickbaker.ca/post/sense-of-adventurewhen-youre-not-working-at-a-google-wannabe/Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:48:00 -0500The question unwritten but embedded below…see yellow highlight Question : How often does sense of adventure actually make sense in [or fit] the Situation… https://rickbaker.ca/post/quests-questions-cats/https://rickbaker.ca/post/quests-questions-cats/Tue, 23 Jun 2015 21:32:00 -0500Shame on the people who admonish, “Curiosity kills the cat”. How many spirits have those people confined? How much motivation have those people stifled? How… https://rickbaker.ca/post/yes-we-cry-out-for-help/https://rickbaker.ca/post/yes-we-cry-out-for-help/Wed, 06 May 2015 07:26:00 -0500When Emotional work gets too heavy, we cry out for help. Using the Transactional Analysis “Parent- Adult -Child Model”…and some facts-of-life thinking: when… https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-want-to-expand-your-insight-power/https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-want-to-expand-your-insight-power/Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:36:00 -0500Entrepreneurs have deal-doing insight . Good salespeople have deal-doing Insight , which can be defined as: a natural, deep capacity to understand people and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/whats-new-with-you/https://rickbaker.ca/post/whats-new-with-you/Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:30:00 -0500“New Things” are the route to positive energy and positive feelings. How do new things help you remain fully engaged , energized , and enthusiastic ? https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-the-love-ofwords/https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-the-love-ofwords/Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:12:00 -0500Curiosity uncovers problems. Complaints are, at their roots. statements of problems. Problems are wonderful routes to opportunities. P=2S+O https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-great-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-and-more/https://rickbaker.ca/post/courage-is-the-great-enabler-it-enables-self-analysis-self-confidence-curiosity-creativity-innovation-and-more/Mon, 19 May 2014 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes courage to face adversity. It takes courage to face criticism. It takes courage to face change. Children are born… https://rickbaker.ca/post/creative-engineer-is-not-oxymoronic/https://rickbaker.ca/post/creative-engineer-is-not-oxymoronic/Fri, 11 Oct 2013 08:00:00 -0500‘Creative Engineer’ is not oxymoronic. I know this for a fact. For example… Take a big bowl right out of the box. https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8275/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8275/Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:11:00 -0500Thought Tweet #827.5 Take your big treasure chest of Curiosity off the shelf...dust it off...open it up...and put its contents to good use. The Thinking… https://rickbaker.ca/post/living-is-learning/https://rickbaker.ca/post/living-is-learning/Fri, 09 Aug 2013 08:37:00 -0500I believe the purpose of life is to learn. I believe the reason for learning is growth, which takes form as the wisdom needed for personal development, the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thinking-about-processand-creativity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thinking-about-processand-creativity/Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:15:00 -0500All aspects of everything we do, whether creative or not, involve process. Thought involves process. Emptying a dishwasher involves process. Innovation… https://rickbaker.ca/post/gravity-levity-why-how-opposites-attract-whoa/https://rickbaker.ca/post/gravity-levity-why-how-opposites-attract-whoa/Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:00:00 -0500Gravity & Levity: polar opposites, each laced with double entendre. Gravity was Zarathustra’s archenemy. Gravity is the fabric of Newton’s legacy. And, when… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-752/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-752/Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:43:00 -0500Thought Tweet #752 Think in new ways ; think in old ways...just don't waste time dabbling in-between. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Wisdom survives the test… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-750/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-750/Fri, 31 May 2013 08:12:00 -0500Thought Tweet #750 Curiosity, Moderation & Variety are the archenemies of Bad Habits . The Thinking Behind The Tweet Q: Why are certain habits called Bad… https://rickbaker.ca/post/2-simple-tools-1-for-thinking-1-for-actionboth-for-communicating/https://rickbaker.ca/post/2-simple-tools-1-for-thinking-1-for-actionboth-for-communicating/Fri, 10 May 2013 07:50:00 -0500Edward de Bono is one of my heroes. In my opinion, he is the world's greatest creative thinking educator. I have written about Edward de Bono and his ' Six…